Lighting Regulations in El Mirage, Arizona: Balancing Urban Growth with Quality Living

El Mirage's lighting regulations reflect the city's journey from agricultural roots to a vibrant urban community in the Phoenix metropolitan area. These guidelines aim to ensure safety, minimize light pollution, and maintain the quality of life that residents expect while supporting the city's continued development.

Quick Reference Guide to El Mirage Lighting Regulations

• Light Trespass Limits:
• Maximum 1 footcandle on public streets
• Maximum 4 footcandles on residential property lines
• Photometric plans required for many lighting installations
• Street Lighting Requirements:
• Minimum .4 lumens for local and collector streets
• Minimum .7 lumens for arterial streets
• At least one light standard at each intersection
• Sign Illumination:
• Must be low intensity with minimal spillover
• EMC signs: Maximum 3.85-watt lamps for day, 1.925-watt lamps for night
• Automatic dimming controls required for electronic message centers
• Prohibited Lighting:
• Unshielded incandescent lights visible from adjacent properties
• Arena/stadium lighting in front yards
• Searchlights projecting more than ½ mile (without Council permission)

Understanding El Mirage's Lighting Context

The City's Evolution and Lighting Needs

El Mirage has transformed significantly since its 1951 charter. What began as a small agricultural community established by Mexican migrants has evolved into a diverse urban area with industrial, commercial, and residential development.

The city's 1977 annexation of 2,000 acres for planned community development marked a significant turning point. This expansion, though controversial due to proximity to Luke Air Force Base, set the stage for El Mirage's modern development approach.

Today's lighting regulations reflect this evolution, balancing safety and security needs with quality of life considerations for a growing population.

The Luke Air Force Base Influence

The presence of Luke Air Force Base has directly shaped some of El Mirage's lighting regulations. Specific provisions require property owners to comply with Base personnel determinations regarding hazard marking and lighting for structures that might impact aircraft operations.

This special consideration highlights how El Mirage has adapted its regulations to accommodate both military and civilian needs.

Residential Property Lighting Requirements

Light Trespass Limitations

El Mirage strictly regulates light spreading beyond property boundaries:

• Public Street Impact: Light trespass on public streets must not exceed one footcandle as measured from the centerline
• Residential Property Impact: Light trespass on residential properties must not exceed four footcandles as measured from the property line
• Documentation Required: A photometric plan must be submitted showing compliance with these requirements

Visible Light Sources

To protect neighborhood aesthetics and prevent glare:

• Base incandescent light bulbs are not permitted to be visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way
• Light sources must be hooded or controlled to prevent direct visibility
• Sky-reflected glare from floodlights or high-temperature processes is prohibited

Special Features and Exceptions

The code provides some flexibility for certain lighting applications:

• Light fixtures on fences may extend up to two feet above maximum fence height
• Yard lights in residential districts are exempt from setback restrictions
• Safety and security lighting is exempt from setback restrictions if the direct light source isn't visible from public rights-of-way or adjacent residential properties

Commercial Lighting Standards

Parking Area Illumination

Commercial properties must carefully design parking area lighting:

• Lighting must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining properties, residential uses, and public rights-of-way
• A photometric plan showing footcandle measurements to all adjacent property lines and centerlines of streets is required
• Lighting must comply with all applicable regulations in the relevant chapter

Loading Areas

For businesses with illuminated loading areas:

• Photometric Plan Requirement: A detailed plan must be submitted if the loading area will be illuminated
• Light Deflection: Lighting must be deflected away from abutting residential sites
• Glare Prevention: No excess glare may be created

Sign Illumination Guidelines

General Sign Lighting Standards

El Mirage has specific requirements for illuminated signage:

• Sign lighting must be of low intensity
• Effective provisions must minimize light spillover beyond the actual sign face
• Permissible illumination methods include:
• Appropriate cut-off style light fixtures
• Down-light fixtures adjusted to avoid spillover
• Muted internal illumination

Electronic Message Centers (EMCs)

Electronic signs have additional requirements:

• Daytime Operation: Illumination shall not exceed 3.85-watt wedge base lamps
• Nighttime Operation: Illumination shall not exceed 1.925-watt base wedge lamps
• Automatic Dimming: All EMC signs must have automatic dimming controls (photocell or software)
• Operating Hours: EMCs cannot be illuminated more than 30 minutes before opening or 30 minutes after closing (or 10:00 p.m., whichever is later)

Prohibited Sign Lighting

Several types of sign illumination are explicitly forbidden:

• Signs with strobe lights
• Signs with flashing, blinking, or rotating lights
• Laser lights and searchlights
• Unshielded LED, incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, or sodium light bulbs
• Gas-filled signs (neon, argon, krypton) on building exteriors (only permitted for interior window displays)

Street Lighting Requirements

Installation Standards

Street lighting in El Mirage must meet specific criteria:

• Installation must follow design and specification standards approved by the City Engineer
• All street lights must utilize luminaries that minimize reflection into the night sky
• Developers may be responsible for installation costs

Illumination Levels

The code establishes minimum light levels for different street types:

• Local and Collector Streets: Minimum of .4 lumens at any point along the right-of-way
• Arterial Streets: Minimum of .7 lumens must be maintained
• Intersections: Each intersection must have at least one light standard

Developer Responsibilities

Property developers should be aware of several obligations:

• When developing property, owners may need to share streetlight costs with others
• When installing medians, the first developer must install full median including street lighting
• When removing poles that include street lights, developers must replace them with freestanding poles

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Excavation Safety Lighting

When excavating near public areas:

• Any excavation or hole in highways or thoroughfares must have "sufficient light at night"
• This must be combined with a temporary fence or obstruction to protect the public

Searchlights and Beacons

High-intensity lighting is regulated:

• Operation of searchlights or beacon lights projecting more than half a mile requires Council permission
• Emergency searchlights or beacons operated by public authorities are exempt

Marijuana Facility Lighting

El Mirage has specific regulations for marijuana-related businesses:

• Indoor cultivation may only use LEDs, CFLs, or fluorescent lighting
• Establishments must implement security lighting to facilitate surveillance
• Electronic monitoring such as video cameras must be included in security plans

Supporting El Mirage's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting understands the unique balance El Mirage seeks to maintain between urban growth and preserving community character. As an established manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we appreciate communities that carefully craft lighting regulations to support both development and quality of life.

Our experience working with municipalities throughout the Southwest has given us valuable insight into the specific lighting challenges faced in desert communities like El Mirage. We understand the importance of minimizing light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Bock Lighting shares El Mirage's commitment to sustainable growth and can serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting compliance. Our experts understand the technical requirements of photometric planning and can help explain how various fixtures impact light trespass measurements.

We believe that thoughtful lighting design contributes significantly to community character and quality of life - values that El Mirage clearly emphasizes in its regulations.

Conclusion: What Property Owners Should Know

El Mirage's lighting regulations reflect its evolution from agricultural community to dynamic urban center while respecting its proximity to Luke Air Force Base. These guidelines prioritize minimizing light trespass and glare while ensuring adequate illumination for safety.

Property owners should pay particular attention to the footcandle limitations (1 on public streets, 4 on residential properties) and documentation requirements like photometric plans. Sign illumination is strictly regulated, especially for electronic message centers.

By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to El Mirage's vision of balanced community development that supports both growth and quality of life.

Remember that lighting requirements may change over time, so it's always best to consult with city officials before making significant lighting installations or changes.